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Jimmy Magee to release his debut single aged 79

Jimmy is set to release his debut single with all proceeds going to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease

RTÉ broadcasting veteran Jimmy Magee will release his debut single next week - a cover of George Jones' These Old Eyes Have Seen it All with lyrics adapted to give it a distinctly Irish twist.

The 79-year-old Dundalk native has recorded the charity single to raise awareness for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA).

Jimmy, who is Patron of IMNDA, has tweaked These Old Eyes of Mine with lyrics of his own looking back on his career and major events in Irish history, both sporting and otherwise.

And the man who has been more used to commentating on record breaking sporting events could be set to set his own record as the oldest person ever to release a debut single.

Here's some sample lines from the song: "Jack Charlton brought our football team to Euro 88, A Ray Houghton goal beat England and Ireland went 'en fète', Austerity’s bite caused many a good man to fail and fall, These old eyes have seen it all . . . "

Jimmy's son Paul passed away from Motor Neurone Disease in 2008. “The deterioration in Paul’s case was rapid; arms, legs, feet, hands, voice," Jimmy said. "Following in succession until, for the last five months of his life, he couldn’t speak, couldn’t shake his head, couldn’t point a finger. It’s not life’s natural order to have your children predecease you.

“I hope for all the families, friends and extended MND community in Ireland that we find that evasive cure and fulfil the vision held by the IMNDA that ‘Together, we will beat Motor Neurone Disease."

Musicians on the single include Paddy Cole on sax, squeezebox player Liam O'Connor, and Midlands newcomer Jane McNamee.

Jimmy's debut single is priced €3 and will be available through all 53 Heatons stores nationwide and on www.heatonsstores.com from April 11.